The Russellville City Council voted Thursday night to send a planned unit development (PUD) proposal for a Walmart Neighborhood Market back to the Planning Commission. Alderman Mark Tripp made the motion, which was approved by the majority of the council.

“We are trying to fit a square peg in a round hole,” Tripp said. “We need to get it back as a cohesive plan.”

Aldermen were expected to conduct the second reading of an ordinance that would change the zoning to a PUD where the nation's largest retailer wants to build a Walmart Neighborhood Market, at West Main Street and Vancouver Avenue.

“This is an unusual practice," City Planner David Harris said. "It’s procedurally odd.”

Prior to the vote, Alderman Martin Irwin made a motion to raise the proposed impact fee from $125,000 to $350,000. Irwin said the money would go toward construction necessary for opening access to Second Street and possible sidewalk extensions.

“Opening Second Street would put it at the Neighborhood Market’s front door,” Walmart legal representative Stephen Giles said. “Don’t go down the path of asking Walmart for an additional donation.”